About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis, or PsA, is a chronic disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints, as well as a reduced range of motion, swollen fingers and toes, fingernails and toenails that separate from the nail bed, and eye pain and redness. Typically, PsA affects people who already have psoriasis, an autoimmune condition marked by reddish scaly skin lesions. In 85% of individuals, the skin disease preceded joint disease.

The exact cause of PsA is unknown. However, both genetic and environmental factors, as well as your body's own immune system, seem to be associated with its development.

Your PsA symptoms can suddenly flare and then go into remission for extended periods or can remain active for many years at a time. How PsA progresses varies from person to person, but for most people it can worsen over time if it isn't managed properly. Studies show that delaying treatment for PsA as little as six months can result in permanent joint damage. Early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PsA are critical to relieve pain and inflammation and help prevent joint damage.

Exercise can help

An exercise plan approved by your doctor may be a helpful way to manage the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Sign up to receive our free exercise guide and review it with your doctor before beginning. To receive your free guide, simply fill out this quick form:

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Hear adults share their personal stories about living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), as well as treatment with CIMZIA.

Lisa, a CIMZIA patient

Important Safety Information

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Lisa, a CIMZIA patient

At the age of 38, Lisa was diagnosed with PsA and moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. As the mother of three teenage boys, her priority was to be there for them in whatever way they needed her. Lisa found her symptoms took a dramatic toll on her ability to do that. In this video, she discusses what life is like since starting treatment with CIMZIA.

Kevin, a CIMZIA patient

Important Safety Information

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Kevin, a CIMZIA patient

Kevin thought his past as a high school and college athlete was the cause of his stiffness and pain until he was diagnosed with PsA. As a sales representative and the father of 14-year-old twin boys, his busy schedule means managing his symptoms is important. Watch as he describes his PsA and his journey with CIMZIA.

Important Safety Information you should know about CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol)

What is the most important information I should know about CIMZIA?

CIMZIA may cause serious side effects, including:

CIMZIA is a prescription medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people who received CIMZIA have developed serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have caused hospitalization and death.

Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting CIMZIA.

Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with CIMZIA.

Before starting CIMZIA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:

fever, sweat, or chills

muscle aches

cough

shortness of breath

blood in phlegm

weight loss

warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body

diarrhea or stomach pain

burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal

feeling very tired

are being treated for an infection

get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back

have diabetes, HIV-1 or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections.

have tuberculosis (TB), or have been in close contact with someone with TB

were born in, live, have lived, or traveled to certain countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

live, have lived, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis). These infections may develop or become more severe if you receive CIMZIA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.

Stop using CIMZIA, and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms of an infection listed above.

Cancer.

For people who receive TNF blockers, including CIMZIA, the chances of getting certain types of cancers may increase.

Some children, teenagers, and young adults who received TNF blockers, including CIMZIA, have developed lymphoma and other certain types of rare cancers, some of which have caused death. These cancers are not usually seen in this age group. CIMZIA is not for use in children.

People with inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, especially those with very active disease, may be more likely to get lymphoma.

Some people who receive TNF blockers, including CIMZIA, have developed a rare type of cancer which may cause death, called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. Most of these people were male teenagers and young adult males with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, most of these people had been treated with both a TNF blocker and another medicine called IMURAN® (azathioprine) or PURINETHOL® (6-mercaptopurine, 6-MP).

Some people who receive CIMZIA have developed certain types of skin cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in the appearance of your skin, including growths on your skin, during or after treatment with CIMZIA. You should see your healthcare provider periodically during treatment for skin examinations, especially if you have a history of skin cancer.

What is CIMZIA?

CIMZIA is a prescription medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker used in adults to:

Lessen the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) in adults who have not been helped enough by usual treatments

Treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Treat active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Treat active ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills)

It is not known if CIMZIA is safe and effective in children.

Before receiving CIMZIA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have an infection

have or have had lymphoma or any other type of cancer

have or had congestive heart failure

have or have had seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Do not receive a live vaccine while receiving CIMZIA.

are allergic to certolizumab pegol or any of the ingredients in CIMZIA. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of the ingredients in CIMZIA.

are allergic to rubber or latex; 7% of the plastic needle shield inside the removable cap is derived from natural rubber latex.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with CIMZIA.

Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant during treatment with CIMZIA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering in the pregnancy exposure registry for CIMZIA. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-877-311-8972. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of CIMZIA during pregnancy.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with CIMZIA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How will I receive CIMZIA?

CIMZIA comes as a lyophilized powder or a solution in a prefilled syringe for injection. If your healthcare provider prescribes the CIMZIA powder, CIMZIA should be injected by a healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider prescribes the prefilled syringe, you will be trained on how to inject CIMZIA. See the booklet called “Instructions for Use” packaged in your CIMZIA prefilled syringe kit on how to inject CIMZIA the right way. Do not give yourself an injection of CIMZIA unless you have been shown by your healthcare provider, or they can train someone you know to help you with your injection. CIMZIA is given by an injection under the skin. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much and how often to inject CIMZIA. Do not use more CIMZIA or inject more often than prescribed.

What are the possible side effects of CIMZIA?

CIMZIA can cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about CIMZIA?”

Heart failure including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.

Allergic reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include a skin rash; swelling or itching of the face, tongue, lips, or throat; or trouble breathing.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in people who carry the virus in their blood. In some cases, people who received CIMZIA have died because of the hepatitis B virus being reactivated. Your healthcare provider should monitor you carefully before and during treatment with CIMZIA to see if you carry the hepatitis B virus in your blood. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

feel unwell

skin or eyes look yellow

tiredness (fatigue)

poor appetite or vomiting

pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen)

New or worsening nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes. Symptoms may include:

dizziness

numbness or tingling

problems with your vision

weakness in your arms or legs

Blood problems. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Symptoms include a fever that does not go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.

Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include shortness of breath, joint pain, or a rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens with sun exposure.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any serious side effects listed above.

The most common side effects of CIMZIA include upper respiratory infections (flu, cold), rash, and urinary tract infections (bladder infections).

These are not all of the possible side effects of CIMZIA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see the Medication Guide for CIMZIA and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

CIMZIA®, CIMplicity®, cimplicity®, and UCBCares® are registered trademarks
of the UCB Group of Companies. All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: CIMZIAcan lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people who received CIMZIA have developed serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have caused hospitalization and death. Click to open full Prescribing Information.